Combination stuffed character and sleeping bags

ABSTRACT

A sleeping bag system has the appearance of a stuffed character when not in use as a sleeping bag and includes a torso including a torso compartment therein, a first limb having a first arm compartment therein which is in connection with the torso compartment, a second limb having a second arm compartment therein which is in connection with the torso compartment, at least a third limb having at least a first leg compartment therein which is in connection with the torso compartment. The sleeping bag system further includes an opening in the torso providing access to the torso compartment from outside of the sleeping bag system and an item removably storable in the torso compartment which is adapted to provide stability to the sleeping bag system such that the sleeping bag system can sit upright without support when not in use as a sleeping bag.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/554,881, filed Nov. 26, 2014, which claimsbenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/022,616,filed Jul. 9, 2014, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

The following information is provided to assist the reader inunderstanding technologies disclosed below and the environment in whichsuch technologies may typically be used. The terms used herein are notintended to be limited to any particular narrow interpretation unlessclearly stated otherwise in this document. References set forth hereinmay facilitate understanding of the technologies or the backgroundthereof. The disclosure of all references cited herein are incorporatedby reference.

Sleeping bags for children are often ornamented with various features tomake them more attractive to and enjoyable for the children. Somesleeping bags may, for example, be ornamented with pictures of animals,animal heads etc. In general, such sleeping bags are designed to berolled up after use for storage and do not provide entertainment for achild when not in use as a sleeping bag.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a sleeping bag system hereof has the appearance of astuffed character when not in use as a sleeping bag. The sleeping bagsystem includes a torso including a torso compartment therein, a firstlimb having a first arm compartment therein which is in connection withthe torso compartment, a second limb having a second arm compartmenttherein which is in connection with the torso compartment, at least athird limb having at least a first leg compartment therein which is inconnection with the torso compartment. The sleeping bag system furtherincludes an opening in the torso providing access to the torsocompartment from outside of the sleeping bag system and an itemremovably storable in the torso compartment. In a number of embodiments,the item provides stability to the sleeping bag system such that thesleeping bag system can sit upright without support when not in use as asleeping bag. In a number of embodiments, the sleeping bag furtherincludes a fourth limb having a second leg compartment therein which isin connection with the torso compartment. The opening in the torso may,for example, include a flap which is openable and closeable via at leastone hook-and-loop type fastener.

In a number of embodiments, the first limb includes a connector in thevicinity of a distal end of the first limb and the second limb includesa cooperating connector in the vicinity of a distal end of the secondlimb such that the first limb and the second limb are connectable infront of the torso. The connector and the cooperating connector may, forexample, be hook-and-loop type connectors. As clear to those skilled inthe art, other connectors such as snaps, zippers, buttons etc. can beused in the sleeping bag systems hereof.

The sleeping bag system may, for example, further include a headattached to the torso which is tiltable rearward to create a headcompartment in connection with the torso compartment. In a number ofembodiments, the first limb includes an opening in the vicinity of thedistal end thereof via which a first hand of a user of the sleeping bagmay exit the sleeping bag, and the second limb includes an opening inthe vicinity of the distal end thereof via which a second hand of a userof the sleeping bag may exit the sleeping bag. The third limb may, forexample, include an opening in the vicinity of the distal end thereof,and the fourth limb (when present) may, for example, include an openingin the vicinity of the distal end thereof. The openings in the thirdlimb and further limb may provide access for the user's feet. Openingsin the distal ends of limbs may also provide ventilation.

The item may, for example, include an opening in connection with astorage compartment within the item. In a number of embodiments, thestuffed character is a stuffed animal and the item is formed in theshape of a food item for the animal.

In another aspect, a sleeping bag system has the appearance of a stuffedcharacter when not in use as a sleeping bag. The sleeping bag systemincludes a torso having a torso compartment therein, a first limb havinga first arm compartment therein, which is in connection with the torsocompartment, a second limb having a second arm compartment therein,which is in connection with the torso compartment, at least a third limbhaving a first leg compartment therein, which is in connection with thetorso compartment, an opening in the torso providing access to the torsocompartment, and a stuffed head movably attached to the torso so thatthe head may be tilted rearward to create head compartment, which isconnection with the torso compartment. In a number of embodiments, thesleeping bag system further includes a fourth limb having a second legcompartment therein which is in connection with the torso compartment.

In a number of embodiments, at least a portion of the first limb, atleast a portion of the second limb, at least a portion of the thirdlimb, and at least a portion of the fourth limb (when present) compriseat least one layer of a flexible material having sufficient rigidity toprevent substantial collapse of the first limb, the second limb, thethird limb and the fourth limb (when present) when the sleeping bag isnot in use as a sleeping bag. In a number of embodiments, the entiretyof the limbs do not substantially collapse when the sleeping bag is notin use as a sleeping bag. The sleeping bag system may further include anitem removably storable in the torso compartment to provide stability tothe sleeping bag system when not in use as a sleeping bag.

The present devices, systems, and methods, along with the attributes andattendant advantages thereof, will best be appreciated and understood inview of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view an embodiment of a sleeping baghereof in the form of a bear or teddy bear in an, unsupported sittingposition.

FIG. 2A illustrates another perspective view of the sleeping bag of FIG.1 in a sitting position and in which the bag is in a partially openstate and showing an item such as a food item in the form of a fishwithin the sleeping bag.

FIG. 2B illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the fish-shaped itemof FIG. 2B, which can serve as an overnight bag, wherein the fish-shapeditem is in a partially open state.

FIG. 2C illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of the sleepingbag of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2D illustrates a schematic side view of the sleeping bag of FIG. 1in an unsupported, upright sitting position.

FIG. 2E illustrates an embodiment of a test to determine a material ofsufficient rigidity or stiffness for use as a support layer in thesleeping bags hereof.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the sleeping bag of FIG. 1lying flat on a surface with the front thereof facing upward.

FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of an upper section of thesleeping bag of FIG. 1 with a child therein.

FIG. 4B illustrates an enlarged perspective view of a foot section ofthe sleeping bag of FIG. 1 showing an opening which can operate to ventthe sleeping bag.

FIG. 5 illustrates another perspective view of the sleeping bag of FIG.1 showing the various compartments within the sleeping bag in dashedlines.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an upper section of thesleeping bag of FIG. 1 in an open state, showing hook-and-loop typesfastener that may be used to open and close the bag.

FIG. 7A illustrates a perspective view another embodiment of a sleepingbag hereof in the form of a panda bear in a sitting position.

FIG. 7B illustrates an enlarged perspective view of a bamboo-shaped fooditem that may be used within the sleeping bag of FIG. 7A, which mayserve as an overnight bag, and wherein the bamboo-shaped item is in apartially open state.

FIG. 8A illustrates a perspective view another embodiment of a sleepingbag hereof in the form of a hippopotamus, wherein the hippopotamus is ina sitting position.

FIG. 8B illustrates an enlarged perspective view of a lily-pad-shapedfood item that may be used within the sleeping bag of FIG. 7A, which mayserve as an overnight bag, and wherein the lily-pad-shaped item is in aclosed state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments, asgenerally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may bearranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations inaddition to the described representative embodiments. Thus, thefollowing more detailed description of the representative embodiments,as illustrated in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of theembodiments, as claimed, but is merely illustrative of representativeembodiments.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” (or the like) means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in oneembodiment” or “in an embodiment” or the like in various placesthroughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment.

Furthermore, described features, structures, or characteristics may becombined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In thefollowing description, numerous specific details are provided to give athorough understanding of embodiments. One skilled in the relevant artwill recognize, however, that the various embodiments can be practicedwithout one or more of the specific details, or with other methods,components, materials, et cetera. In other instances, well knownstructures, materials, or operations are not shown or described indetail to avoid obfuscation.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an”,and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an item” includes aplurality of such items and equivalents thereof known to those skilledin the art, and so forth, and reference to “the item” is a reference toone or more such items and equivalents thereof known to those skilled inthe art, and so forth. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merelyintended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually toeach separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicatedherein, and each separate value, as well as intermediate ranges, areincorporated into the specification as if individually recited herein.All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable orderunless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contraindicatedby the text.

In a number of embodiments hereof, sleeping bags are designed torepresent an inanimate version of an animated figure or character suchas an animal, a human action figure, a fantasy subject, etc., which areof sufficient size to allow a person (in a number of embodiments, achild) to sleep within the sleeping bag. In a number of embodiments, theanimals are quadruped animals (that is, animals having four feet orlimbs) that a child would find to be cute, safe and/or inviting.However, the sleeping bags may be designed as a fish, a bird, a humanetc. As used herein, the term “limb”, when referring to an animal in theshape of which a sleeping bag hereof is formed, refers to any appendageextending from the torso or main body portion of an animal. For example,a tail or a fin is considered a limb of a fish, and wings or legs areconsidered limbs of birds. In a number of embodiments, the sleeping bagshereof include a hollow torso or main body for enclosing the torso ofthe child, two hollow arm compartments for into which a child may inserteach of the child's arms, one or more hollow leg compartments into whicha child may insert each of the child's legs, and a carved out headcompartment where child's head may rest. For example, FIGS. 1 through 6illustrate an embodiment of a combination stuffed animal and sleepingbag 10 (sometimes referred to herein as sleeping bag 10) in the form ofa bear or teddy bear. Torso 20 includes an opening in the form of a flap22 (see, for example, FIG. 2A) via which a person/child may enter thesleeping bag. Other types of openings may be used as known in thesleeping bag arts. Flap 22 may, for example, include one or morefasteners 24 a which cooperate with cooperating fasteners 24 b to openand close flap 22. In a number of embodiments, fasteners 24 a andcooperating fasteners 24 b are hook-and-loop type fasteners such asVELCRO® available from Velcro USA, Inc. of Manchester, N.H. Use ofhook-and-loop type fasteners may, for example, provide for ease of usefor a child and for ready exit from sleeping bag 10. Other types offastening mechanisms (for example, snaps, zippers, buttons etc.) may beused in sleeping bag 10 as known in the art.

As, for example, illustrated in FIG. 4A, a child may enter a torsocompartment or volume 30 within main body or torso 20 of sleeping bag 10through an opening created by flap 22 which folds open as illustrated inFIGS. 2A and 4A. Arms (front limbs or legs, referring to the form of thebear) 40 and legs (rear limbs or legs, referring to the form of thebear) 50 of sleeping bag 10 are hollow to form arm compartments 41 andleg compartments 51 which open into torso compartment 30 so that thechild may place his or her arms and legs into arm compartments 41 withinarms 40 and the leg compartments 51 within legs 50 of sleeping bag 10(see FIG. 5). In the illustrated embodiment, arms 40 have openings 42(see FIG. 4A) located near paws 44 (at a distal end of arms 40) atapproximately the wrist position of the child to provide freedom ofmovement for the child's hands, to provide ventilation and/or forhandling purposes. Freedom of the child's hands and fingers may, forexample, provide for ready access to flap 22 to allow the child toreadily exit sleeping bag 10. Legs 50 similarly may have openings 52located near paws 44 at the area of the child's feet to, for example,provide access and for ventilation purposes.

In a number of embodiments, head 60 (or at least an upper portion ofhead 60) of sleeping bag 10 is formed and stuffed/filled in a manner ofa typical stuffed animal or teddy bear head (in the embodiment of FIGS.1 through 6), but is connected to torso 20 and arms 40 in a manner (forexample, via a length of material 62 as illustrated in FIG. 4A) so thathead 60 can be tilted back in the manner of a hood to provide a headcompartment 70 for the child's head (see, for example, FIGS. 3 and 4A)when the child is within sleeping bag 10. In a number of embodiment, theentire head 60 of sleeping bag 10 is stuffed (for example, to thebeginning of the neck anatomically.

In a number of embodiments, once inside stuffed animal/sleeping bag 10and fastened closed, the child is generally completely enclosed insidesleeping bag 10. In general, sleeping bag 10 is not designed for a childto easily stand upright when within sleeping bag 10 and/or to becomemobile. However, access to the child's hands via openings 42 and thechild's feet via openings 52 may provide a limited ability tomover/stand or otherwise use the hands and/or feet in, for example, anemergency or perceived emergency to, for example, allow the child toreadily exit sleeping bag 10.

As described above, when sleeping bag 10 is not used as a sleeping bag,it may, for example, function as a stuffed animal. In a number ofembodiments, sleeping bag 10, when used in a “stuffed animal mode”, maysit upright without support other than provided by sleeping bag 10itself. As used herein, the ability to “sit upright” (while unsupported)refers to a position as, for example, illustrated in FIG. 2D in whichthe character/stuffed animal rests upon its seat (or lower torso) andthe lower limb(s) of the stuffed animal may extend forward. In a numberof embodiments, a line A drawn from the center of head 60 and/or throughthe center of torso 20 to a flat, horizontally oriented surface uponwhich sleeping bag 10 is positioned is within an angle α (rearward orforward) with respect to a vertical position (that is, aligned with theorientation of gravity). In a number of embodiments, a is not more than30°, no more than 20°, or no more than 15°. As used herein, the term“unsupported” refers to a state in which sleeping bag 10 is notsupported physically (or touching any supporting object) other than theflat, horizontally oriented surface upon which sleeping bag 10 ispositioned/sitting.

FIG. 2C illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of stuffedanimal 10, illustrating the fabrication thereof. In the illustratedembodiment, sleeping bag 10 includes an inner lining layer 110 of amaterial such as a polyester. Inner layer 110 may, for example, providea smooth and soft surface which contacts the child. In the illustratedembodiment, a support layer 120 of, for example, a batting material isoutside of lining layer 110. Support layer 120 (in conjunction withother layers) is resilient and flexible but has sufficient rigidity orstiffness to provide structural support to, for example, assist inretaining the shape of sleeping bag 10 when the child is not withinsleeping bag 10 (that is, during use as a stuffed animal). Stillfurther, support layer 120 provides stability for a fill layer 130(positioned between inner layer 110 and support layer 120 on a rearwardside of sleeping bag 10) to ensure that fill layer 130 lays smooth. Inseveral embodiments, a polyester batting material having a thickness of⅜ inches (0.953 cm) (available, for example, from Fairfield Processingof Danbury, Conn. under the mark POLY-FIL®) was used as support layer120. Batting and similar materials provide a soft, resilient andflexible material, but, by providing batting having a sufficientthickness, sufficient rigidity or stiffness can be achieved to retainthe shape stuffed animal over at least a portion of sleeping bag 10 whennot used as a sleeping bag.

One skilled in the art can readily determine materials suitable for usein support layer 120. FIG. 2E, for example, illustrates a simpleflexural or cantilever test for measuring rigidity or stiffness todetermine materials suitable for use in support layer 120. In theillustrated test, a 12 inch (30.48 cm) length of a strip S of material,having a width of 1 inch (2.54 cm) and a thickness t suitable for use insleeping bag 10, is extended over the edge of surface to a length L of 6inches (15.24 cm). Strip S is allowed to bend under its own mass. Anangle β is measured (or a distance of bending is measured) to provide ameasure of stiffness or rigidity. In a number of embodiments, thethickness of the material for support layer is in the range ofapproximately 0.25 (0.635 cm) and 0.75 (1.905 cm) inches or betweenapproximately 0.25 (0.635 cm) and 0.5 inches (1.27 cm), and the angle βis no more than 45 degrees or no more than 30 degrees. Tests fordetermining stiffness of fabrics such as described in ASTM D1388-08(2012) may also be used for measuring stiffness of materials for supportlayer 120.

As described above, adjacent support layer 120 on a rearward orunderside portion of sleeping bag 10 is fill layer 130 of fill orcushioning material, which in a number of embodiments was a polyesterfiber fill material (available, for example, from Fairfield Processingof Danbury, Conn. under the mark POLY-FIL®). In a number of embodiments,fill layer 130 was present only on the rearward of underside portion ofsleeping bag 10 (adjacent the rear of the child) to provide cushioningas well as some rigidity or stability when sleeping bag 10 is placed,for example, a sitting position while in the “stuffed animal mode” asillustrated in FIG. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, no fill layer 130was provided on the top of sleeping bag 10 (adjacent the front of thechild) to, for example, prevent excessive bulk and overheating when inuse as a sleeping bag. Adjacent to and outside of layer 120 in theillustrated embodiment is an outer, surface or fur layer 140 (in thecase of a bear or other mammal) similar to that provide for stuffedanimals. Fur layer 140 provides a soft, cuddly material which is commonof stuffed animals, while layers 110, 120 and 130 provide comfort andresiliency consistent with the warmth and comfort of a sleeping bag.

In a number of embodiments, the layered structure described above (andparticularly support layer 120) is adapted to retain the shape ofsleeping bag 10 as a stuffed animal/character in those sections ofsleeping bag 10 within internal compartments having relatively smallvolume (that is, within arms 40 and legs 50). In general, modelling thecross-section of the arms and legs as a generally circular, thematerials forming sleeping bag 10 are preferably chosen such that agenerally circular section formed form such materials and having adiameter of 6 inches (15.24 cm) does not collapse in height by not morethan 20%, 10%, or even 5% when resting unsupported upon a flat surface(and wherein the volume or compartment formed therein is empty). A“substantial collapse” in height of limb of a sleeping bag hereon if acollapse of greater than 20% in height of the limb.

In the case of torso 20, the larger volume of compartment 30 and theassociated increased surface area/span of torso 20 may result in a needfor additional support, particularly to enable sleeping bag 10 tomaintain itself in sitting position without resting against any object(see FIGS. 1 and 2D). In a number of embodiments, to provide support fortorso 20 when the child is not using sleeping bag 10 as a sleeping bag,a removable item 200 (see, for example, FIG. 2A) is storable insidetorso compartment 30 of sleeping bag 10 when sleeping bag 10 is used inthe “stuffed animal mode”. Item 200 may, for example, be a relativelysmall, removable padded bag which may serve as a stabilizer or supportwhen stored within sleeping bag 10, as a travel case for the child whenremoved, and as an educational food source item of (or other itemassociated with) the animal type of sleeping bag 10. In the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, item 200 is formed in the shape of afish such as a salmon, which is a common food item for bears. In thecase that item 200 acts as a stabilizer or support when stored insleeping bag 10 (for example, to support sleeping bag 10 in an uprightsitting position), item 200 may, for example, be at least 12 inches(30.48 cm) in length.

As illustrated, for example, in FIG. 2B, item 200 may include an openingformed via flaps or folds 210 to an internal compartment 220 into whicha child may, for example, place other items such as overnight items(toothbrush, comb, clothing etc.). Flaps 210 may, for example, beopenable and closable via cooperating hook-and-loop type fasteners 212(for example, VELCRO hook-and-loop type fasteners).

In a number of embodiments, torso flap 22 includes an extra length ofmaterial in an upper region thereof to assist in fully covering achild's torso when the child is in sleeping bag 10. When not in use as asleeping bag, the extra length of material may, for example, results infolds 24 (illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 1) which may be tuckedunder head 60 to support head 60 when sleeping bag 10 is not in use as asleeping bag. When not in use as a sleeping bag, sleeping bag 10 mayassume the structure (that is, conformation, configuration, positionand/or appearance) of a conventional stuffed animal, which is able tosit and remain upright as illustrated in FIG. 1. To further assist inmaintaining the structure/conformation of a stuffed animal is a sittingposition, paws 44 may, for example, include cooperating connectors suchas hook-and-loop type connectors 46 (see, for example, FIGS. 3 and 5) sothat arms 40 may be connected in front of sleeping bag 10 as illustratedin FIG. 1. Connecting arms 40 together as illustrated in FIG. 1 assistsin maintaining the weight of sleeping bag 10 forward, which assists inmaintaining an unsupported sitting position.

Many different types of animals can be represented in sleeping bagshereof. For example, FIG. 7A illustrates a panda bear sleeping bag 10 awhich is similar in operation and construction to sleeping bag 10.Elements of sleeping bag 10 a are numbered similarly to correspondingelements of sleeping bag 10 with the addition of the designation “a”thereto. FIG. 7B illustrates an item 200 a in the shape of a piece ofbamboo (a food item for a panda bear) that can be placed within thetorso compartment (not shown) of torso 20 a of sleeping bag 10 a. Item200 a is similar in operation and construction to item 200. Elements ofitem 200 a are numbered similarly to corresponding elements of item 200with the addition of the designation “a” thereto.

FIG. 8A illustrates a hippopotamus sleeping bag 10 b which is similar inoperation and construction to sleeping bag 10. Elements of sleeping bag10 b are numbered similarly to corresponding elements of sleeping bag 10with the addition of the designation “b” thereto. FIG. 8B illustrates anitem 200 b in the shape of a piece of a lily pad (a food item for ahippopotamus) that may be placed within the torso compartment (notshown) of torso 20 b of sleeping bag 10 b. Item 200 b is similar inoperation and construction to item 200. Elements of item 200 b arenumbered similarly to corresponding elements of item 200 with theaddition of the designation “b” thereto.

In the case of, for example, a sleeping bag formed as a fish (notshown), the tail portion of the fish can provide a single legcompartment into which a child may place both of the child's legs. Thechild's arms may be placed into the fins of the fish-shaped sleepingbag. As described above, openings may be provided near the distal endsof the fins and the tail to provide access to the hands and feet,respectively, as well as to provide venting. The distal ends of the finsmay include cooperating connectors as described above so that the finsmay be connected in front of the fish to assist in maintaining anupright or sitting position. In the case of, for example, a sleeping bagformed as a bird (not shown) the legs of the bird may provide legcompartments as described above, and the wings of the bird may providearm compartments. Once again, openings may be provided near the distalends of the wings and the legs to provide access to the hands and feet,respectively, as well as to provide venting. The distal ends of thewings may include cooperating connectors as described above so that thewings may be connected in front of the bird to assist in maintaining anupright or sitting position. As also described above, the main bodycompartment or torso compartment of such sleeping bags may include anitem which is placed therein (for example, a food or other item relatedto the type of character) to provide support.

The foregoing description and accompanying drawings set forth a numberof representative embodiments at the present time. Variousmodifications, additions and alternative designs will, of course, becomeapparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing teachingswithout departing from the scope hereof, which is indicated by thefollowing claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changesand variations that fall within the meaning and range of equivalency ofthe claims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sleeping bag system having the appearance of astuffed character when not in use as a sleeping bag, comprising: a torsohaving a torso compartment therein, a first limb having a first armcompartment therein which is in connection with the torso compartment, asecond limb having a second arm compartment therein which is inconnection with the torso compartment, at least a third limb having atleast a first leg compartment therein which is in connection with thetorso compartment, an opening in the torso providing access to the torsocompartment from outside of the sleeping bag system, a stuffed characterhead movably attached to the torso, the stuffed character head beingmovable rearward to create a head compartment in connection with thetorso compartment and an item removably storable in the torsocompartment, the torso compartment having sufficient rigidity and theitem being configured to provide stability to the sleeping bag systemsuch that the sleeping bag system can sit upright without support whennot in use as a sleeping bag, wherein at least a portion of the firstlimb, at least a portion of the second limb, and at least a portion ofthe third limb, having sufficient rigidity to prevent substantialcollapse of the first limb, the second limb, and the third limb when thesleeping bag is not in use as a sleeping bag.
 2. The sleeping bag systemof claim 1 further comprising a fourth limb having a second legcompartment therein which is in connection with the torso compartment,at least a portion of the fourth limb comprising at least one layer of aflexible material having sufficient rigidity to substantially preventsubstantial collapse of the fourth limb when the sleeping bag is not inuse as a sleeping bag.
 3. The sleeping bag system of claim 1 wherein thefirst limb includes a connector in the vicinity of a distal end of thefirst limb and the second limb includes a cooperating connector in thevicinity of a distal end of the second limb such that the first limb andthe second limb are connectable in front of the torso.
 4. The sleepingbag system of claim 3 wherein the connector and the cooperatingconnector are hook-and-loop type connectors.
 5. The sleeping bag systemof claim 3 wherein the head being tiltable rearward to create a headcompartment in connection with the torso compartment.
 6. The sleepingbag system of claim 5 wherein the first limb comprises an opening in thevicinity of the distal end thereof via which a first hand of a user ofthe sleeping bag can exit the sleeping bag and the second limbcomprising an opening in the vicinity of the distal end thereof viawhich a second hand of a user of the sleeping bag can exit the sleepingbag.
 7. The sleeping bag system of claim 6 wherein the third limbcomprises an opening in the vicinity of the distal end thereof, and thefourth limb comprises an opening in the vicinity of the distal endthereof.
 8. The sleeping bag system of claim 1 wherein the opening inthe torso is a flap which is openable and closeable via at least onehook-and-loop type fastener.
 9. The sleeping bag system of claim 1wherein the stuffed character is a stuffed animal and the item is formedin the shape of a food item for the animal.
 10. The sleeping bag systemof claim 1 wherein the item includes an opening in connection with astorage compartment within the item.
 11. The sleeping bag system ofclaim 10 wherein the stuffed character is a stuffed animal and the itemis formed in the shape of a food item for the animal.
 12. A sleeping bagsystem having the appearance of a stuffed character when not in use as asleeping bag, comprising: a torso having a torso compartment therein, afirst limb having a first arm compartment therein which is in connectionwith the torso compartment, a second limb having a second armcompartment therein which is in connection with the torso compartment,at least a third limb having a first leg compartment therein which is inconnection with the torso compartment, an opening in the torso providingaccess to the torso compartment, and a stuffed character head movablyattached to the torso so that the head may be tilted rearward to createa head compartment which is connected with the torso compartment, thetorso compartment having sufficient rigidity to prevent substantialcollapse of the torso compartment when the sleeping bag is not in use asa sleeping bag, at least a portion of the first limb, at least a portionof the second limb, and at least a portion of the third limb, havingsufficient rigidity to prevent substantial collapse of the first limb,the second limb, and the third limb when the sleeping bag is not in useas a sleeping bag.
 13. The sleeping bag system of claim 12 furthercomprising a fourth limb having a second leg compartment therein whichis in connection with the torso compartment.
 14. The sleeping bag systemof claim 13 wherein at least a portion of the fourth limb comprises atleast one layer of a flexible material having sufficient rigidity tosubstantially prevent substantial collapse of the fourth limb when thesleeping bag is not in use as a sleeping bag.
 15. The sleeping bagsystem of claim 12 further comprising an item removably storable in thetorso compartment to provide stability to the sleeping bag system whennot in use as a sleeping bag.
 16. A method of fabricating a sleeping bagsystem having the appearance of a stuffed character when not in use as asleeping bag, comprising: providing a torso having a torso compartmenttherein, providing a first limb in connection with the torso having afirst arm compartment therein which is in connection with the torsocompartment, providing a second limb in connection with the torso havinga second arm compartment therein which is in connection with the torsocompartment, providing at least a third limb in connection with thetorso having at least a first leg compartment therein which is inconnection with the torso compartment, providing a stuffed characterhead movably attached to the torso, the stuffed character head beingmovable rearward to create a head compartment in connection with thetorso compartment, providing an opening in the torso to provide accessto the torso compartment from outside of the sleeping bag system, andproviding an item removably storable in the torso compartment, whereinthe torso compartment has sufficient rigidity and the item is configuredto provide stability to the sleeping bag system such that the sleepingbag system can sit upright without support when not in use as a sleepingbag, wherein at least a portion of the first limb, at least a portion ofthe second limb, and at least a portion of the third limb, is fabricatedto have sufficient rigidity to prevent substantial collapse of the firstlimb, the second limb, and the third limb when the sleeping bag is notin use as a sleeping bag.
 17. A method of fabricating a sleeping bagsystem having the appearance of a stuffed character when not in use as asleeping bag, comprising: providing a torso having a torso compartmenttherein, providing a first limb in connection with the torso having afirst arm compartment therein which is in connection with the torsocompartment, providing a second limb in connection with the torso havinga second arm compartment therein which is in connection with the torsocompartment, providing at least a third limb in connection with thetorso having a first leg compartment therein which is in connection withthe torso compartment, providing an opening in the torso providingaccess to the torso compartment, and providing a stuffed character headmovably attached to the torso so that the head may be tilted rearward tocreate head compartment, which is connected to the torso compartment,the torso compartment is fabricated to have sufficient rigidity toprevent substantial collapse of the torso compartment when the sleepingbag is not in use as a sleeping bag and wherein at least a portion ofthe first limb, at least a portion of the second limb, and at least aportion of the third limb, is fabricated to have sufficient rigidity toprevent substantial collapse of the first limb, the second limb, and thethird limb when the sleeping bag is not in use as a sleeping bag.